Job Title: Upward Bound (UB) Resident Advisor (RA)

Job Title: Upward Bound Resident Advisor (RA): Returning

Job Description: LMU Upward Bound (UB) seeks RAs to supervise and advise high school students during our summer residential program. UB provides academic and enrichment activities to about 50 high school students who come from low-income families where neither parent has earned a bachelor’s degree. The program offers a summer residential component focused on enhancing the academic skills of the participants and provides participants with fast-paced, intensive academic coursework and other social, cultural and recreational enrichment activities.

These are summer live-in, full-time/temporary positions scheduled from June 21 through August 7 (approximately seven weeks, weekends are off except for one activity weekend), that provide experiential learning opportunities for college students wishing to gain practical experience working with youth in academic and social development.

Upward Bound is not just a summer job; it is a commitment to educational equity and an extension of our service to the community. Our charge is not only to increase the number of students who go to college, but to also help shape our participants into future leaders.

Please visit our website to learn more about our program before completing an application: www.lmu.edu/ub

Responsibilities: Through this position, RA’s will enhance leadership, organizational, problem-solving and communication skills in a safe, educational environment, while enhancing their ability to establish and maintain meaningful and professional student relationships. Resident Advisors will lead students in enrichment activities with a social skill-building focus. RA’s will:

 Develop positive and supportive relationships with Upward Bound students, mentoring them on academic, personal, social, and college/career concerns.  Maintain appropriate, professional boundaries with students.  Assist in establishing and maintaining a positive and safe environment in the UB residence hall for students and staff, creating an atmosphere that appreciates the diverse cultures, traditions, lifestyles, and beliefs of all students.  Lead group study sessions, including tutoring and teaching study skills.  Take primary responsibility for students in his/her group, by monitoring academic, personal and social progress and updating other staff as necessary.  Lead and participate in free-time and structured evening activities.  Conduct morning wake up calls and evening lights out rounds in the residence hall and provide supervisory coverage as needed.  Transport students to and from home and/or field trips in LMU vans as necessary.  Maintain student confidentiality as appropriate.  Handle and/or refer student disciplinary issues, crises and personal issues to appropriate staff.  Assist with USDA summer food service program and compliance.  Assist in monitoring students’ arrival on Sundays and departure on Fridays.  Lead and/or accompany students on day field trips.  Coordinate with full-time staff and attend all staff meetings.  Maintain program rules and expectations by reinforcing and implementing the policies in the LMU Upward Bound Handbook.  Assist in maintaining safety and security in the residence hall, including taking responsibility for LMU and UB property.  Perform other tasks as reasonably assigned by Academic Coordinator and/or Director.

Qualifications: Applicant must be currently enrolled in college, in good academic standing and have completed at least two years. Must possess strong leadership qualities and have the ability to function as a team player. Also important:

 Must be able to communicate constructively and effectively.  Must be sensitive, respectful and understanding of the needs of economically and academically disadvantaged, ethnically diverse high school students.  Must be able to establish and maintain a trusting and productive working relationship with program students and staff.  Must possess the commitment and stamina to participate constructively in potentially stressful personal interactions and situations.  Experience working with low-income students in a residential setting is highly desirable.  Valid California Driver’s License is preferred.

The application packet:

 Cover Letter  Resume  Reference Form  Short Essay/Judicial Release

Current LMU Students: Please upload completed application to LionJobs.

LMU Graduates and off-campus applicants: Please visit the LMU HR website to apply for this position and upload all the requested documents.

Compensation: $2,300 plus room and board (meals provided during the week while on duty).

Note: The individuals selected for these positions would need to satisfactorily complete a background check regarding their ability to work with children, pursuant to California state law.

The screening of applications will continue until the positions are filled. Loyola Marymount University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Summer Program Staff Application Short Essay Questions

Instructions: Please answer the following questions as completely as possible. Attach additional sheets if necessary.

1. Describe your last summer’s experience and why you would like to return.

2. What things would you do differently if you were hired as a returning RA?

4. What skills and abilities can you offer this program as a returning summer staff member?

5. What have you learned or gained from having worked for LMU UB as a summer RA?

Judicial Release (For current LMU Students only)

I, hereby authorize Judicial Affairs to share my disciplinary information with Upward Bound.

______Signature Date

______Student ID Number LMU Upward Bound Summer Program RA STAFF REFERENCE FORM

APPLICANT NAME:

Reference Name: Signature:

Department: Title:

How long have you known the applicant/in what capacity?

POSITION DESCRIPTION: Resident Assistants supervise and advise high school students during the summer residential program. UB provides academic and enrichment activities to 50 high school students who come from low-income families in which neither parent has earned a college degree. The summer program provides participants with fast-paced, intensive academic coursework and other social, cultural and recreational enrichment activities.

INSTRUCTIONS: Please complete this form as candidly and honestly as possible. Feel free to attach any additional sheets or to call the Upward Bound offices directly at (310) 338-7564 concerning any further questions about the position.

To submit this form you may fax it to (310) 645-5129 Attention: Shelly Pajka, e-mail it to Shelly Pajka at [email protected], or mail it to the Upward Bound Program, Attention: Shelly Pajka, 1 LMU Drive, MS 8465, Los Angeles, CA 90045.

PLEASE RATE THE APPLICANT IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS

Excellent Good Fair Poor No basis for judgment Ability to relate to and work with others: Strong interpersonal skills and an excellent team player. Comments:

Leadership ability: An effective leader with the ability to inspire and direct others. Comments:

Initiative and motivation: Sees what has to be done and does it. Accomplishes tasks with little prompting. Comments:

Organizational skills: Can handle multiple tasks, manages time well and meets deadlines. Comments:

Creativity: Ability/potential to develop and implement activities and programs to engage students. Comments:

Responsibility: Uses sound judgment, accepts responsibility, takes pride in work, can be counted on. Comments: Please comment, if possible, on any particular strengths/qualities that you feel would make the applicant an excellent candidate for an Upward Bound RA position.

Do you have any concerns about this person in an Upward Bound RA role?

Based on the job description and your knowledge of the candidate, please indicate the candidate’s likely success as an Upward Bound RA.

 Highly recommend  *Recommend with reservations (please explain)  Recommend  *Do not recommend (please explain) *